Key Takeaways
- Prestigious Premiere: The highly anticipated movie will debut at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in the “Annecy Presents” category.
- International Co-Production: A massive collaborative project uniting animation powerhouses across Ireland, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Canada.
- Handcrafted Masterpiece: Rejects sterile digital textures in favor of tactile, hand-drawn media like markers and colored pencils to capture a vibrant Brooklyn.
The highly anticipated animated feature Cartoon Saloon Julián is set to make waves as it celebrates its world premiere at the prestigious Annecy Film Festival. Directed by the talented Oscar-nominated studio veteran Louise Bagnall, this beautiful 2D-animated movie marks a major milestone for the beloved Irish studio. Known globally for their breathtaking folklore trilogies, this new venture promises to deliver a fresh, urban, and deeply emotional story to family audiences worldwide.
Based on the award-winning children’s book Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, the movie follows a young, imaginative boy spending a vibrant summer with his Dominican grandmother in Brooklyn. Through Bagnall’s unique artistic direction, the film captures the magical realism of a child’s inner world while celebrating identity, acceptance, and the power of family love.
The Creative Genesis of Cartoon Saloon Julián
The journey of bringing Cartoon Saloon Julián to life began shortly after the release of the original picture book. Louise Bagnall, celebrated for her poignant 2018 Oscar-nominated short film Late Afternoon, was immediately captivated by the book’s subtle emotional depth. While the source material features minimal text, its visual storytelling left a profound impact on the director.
“The book is absolutely beautiful, but it was the story that truly inspired me,” Bagnall shared. She noted that a pivotal moment in the book—where Julián is first seen in his homemade mermaid costume—creates a beautiful tension that begs for exploration. Expanding a short children’s book into a feature-length narrative allowed the creative team to dive deeper into Julián’s mind, creating a rich playground of identity, creativity, and self-expression.
An International Co-Production Masterclass
Creating a feature film of this scale requires an immense amount of planning, coordination, and global teamwork. The production of Cartoon Saloon Julián is a testament to modern collaborative animation. The project brought together four distinct studios across the globe:
- Cartoon Saloon (Ireland)
- Sun Creature (Denmark)
- Melusine Productions (Luxembourg)
- Aircraft Pictures (Canada)
Managing an international team across multiple time zones is no small feat. To understand how these workflows function in the modern era, you can read our deep dive on The Power of Collaboration in Animation and VFX: A Case Study. For Bagnall, keeping everyone aligned on the core creative vision was the ultimate juggling act, yet it proved to be the most invigorating part of the directorial process.
Technical Specifications & Production Tools
To capture the hand-drawn warmth that Cartoon Saloon is famous for, the production team utilized a hybrid suite of digital animation tools. Rather than relying on rigid computer-generated assets, the animators focused on preserving the “artist’s hand” in every single frame.
| Production Element | Details & Software Used |
|---|---|
| Primary Animation Software | TVPaint (for traditional 2D hand-drawn frames) |
| Rigged Animation Support | Moho (to streamline complex character movements) |
| Special Effects (FX) | Toon Boom Harmony |
| Peak In-House Crew Size | Approximately 55 artists at Cartoon Saloon |
| French Distributor | Gebeka Films |
The Aesthetic Choice: Why Hand-Drawn Still Rules
A major defining element of Cartoon Saloon Julián is its striking visual aesthetic. The team deliberately avoided pristine, overly sanitized digital backgrounds. Instead, they opted for textures created with colored pencils and markers—tools that Julián himself would use to draw. This tactile approach makes the bustling streets of Brooklyn feel lived-in, warm, and slightly scuffed around the edges.
This dedication to traditional craft raises an interesting question often debated in modern studios: Do Animators Have to Draw Every Frame? What Is Best? By combining the fluid artistry of TVPaint with the structural efficiency of Moho, Bagnall’s team struck a perfect balance between classical craftsmanship and modern efficiency.
Why Cartoon Saloon Julián is a Milestone for Inclusive Storytelling
At its core, the movie is a vibrant celebration of self-expression, identity, and unconditional love. Historically, stories featuring minority experiences, particularly those touching on gender expression in childhood, have been underrepresented in mainstream family media. By bringing this narrative to the global stage, Cartoon Saloon continues its legacy of pushing boundaries.
Bagnall believes that animation is the perfect medium to foster empathy. “Stories like Julián deserve to be told, not just because they are interesting, fun, and meaningful, but because they help us know ourselves better,” she explained. The film invites audiences of all ages to step into a child’s shoes, viewing the world through a lens of wonder, acceptance, and radical kindness.
Release and Distribution Details
The world is eagerly waiting to experience this visual masterpiece. Julián will officially make its grand debut on June 23, 2026, at the Annecy Festival. Following its festival run, international distribution has already been secured for key territories, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Audiences in France can look forward to a theatrical release on June 24, 2026, handled by Gebeka Films.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main story of Cartoon Saloon Julián?
The film is based on the popular children’s book Julian is a Mermaid. It tells the story of a young boy named Julián who spends a magical summer in Brooklyn with his Dominican grandmother, exploring his identity, creativity, and love for self-expression.
What animation techniques were used in the movie?
The film utilizes a hybrid 2D pipeline. Traditional hand-drawn frames were created using TVPaint, while rigged animation was supported by Moho, and special effects were animated in Toon Boom Harmony. The backgrounds feature real-world textures like colored pencils and markers.
Who directed the movie?
The film is directed by Louise Bagnall, an acclaimed creative director at Cartoon Saloon who previously received an Academy Award nomination for her beautiful 2018 short film, Late Afternoon.
When and where will the movie premiere?
The film is scheduled to premiere on June 23, 2026, at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, followed by a theatrical release in France on June 24, 2026.
